Italy

Gli Azzurri is the nickname that follows Italy's men's volleyball side, and it captures the team's essential identity: Italy, competing in volleyball as a national squad. The country is the anchor here, not a club. The team belongs to Italy, and the nickname is the marker supporters use when the men's national side steps into international competition. The name is Italian, the sport is volleyball, and the stage is international.

Ferdinando De Giorgi leads the Italy men's national volleyball team, and the honours list behind it is what shapes expectations. The side has won the World Championship three times, in 1990, 1994 and 1998, while its European Championship collection stands at seven titles and the World Cup at one. De Giorgi's role is the current reference point for a national team whose identity rests on those international achievements.